Golfer{3 s training aid

ABSTRACT

A golfer&#39;&#39;s training aid in the form of a blinder includes a plate pivotally coupled to a length-adjustable headband. The plate is opaque in order to generally block the golfer&#39;&#39;s vision to one side and force him to better concentrate on striking the golf ball. The plate may be alternately swung outwardly to an extended position for blocking vision and swung backwardly to an inoperable position.

United States Patent [191 Zank [ Apr. 1, 1975 1 1 GOLFERS TRAINING AID [76] Inventor: Gordon Zank, 3238 Isabel St.,

Rosemead, Calif. 91770 [22] Filed: Oct. 15, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 406,554

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 313,672, Dec. 11,

1972, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 273/183 B, 2/12, 273/190 A 51 Int. Cl A63b 69/36 [58] Field of Search ..2/12,10,l1,l3;273/183,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1950 Pope 2/12 9/1955 Linster 273/190 A 3,226,729 1/1966 Fucci 2/12 3,308,478 3/1967 Tate 2/12 3,408,078 10/1968 Falerni et al 273/190 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 125,726 10/1947 Australia 2/12 Primary ExaminerGeorge J. Marlo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pastoriza & Kelly [57] ABSTRACT A golfers training aid in the form of a blinder includes a plate pivotally coupled to a length-adjustable head band. The plate is opaque in order to generally block the golfers vision to one side and force him to better concentrate on striking the golf ball. The plate may be alternately swung outwardly to an extended position for blocking vision and swung backwardly to an inoperable position.

1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures GOLFERS TRAINING AID This is a continuation-in-part application relative to pending U.S. utility application, Ser. No. 3l3,672 filed Dec. 1 l, 1972 by Gordon Zank for a Golfers Training Device to Improve Concentration, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to golfing accessories and more specifically to a golfers aid for blocking peripheral vision to one side for the purpose of improving a golfers concentration while preparing to engage and strike a golf ball.

I An age-old problem confronting many golfers is their tendency to lift their heads prematurely to follow the flight of a golf ball. Often this action disrupts the golfers timing, coordination and rhythm which unfortunately results in a shot that goes awry.

A number of golfing devices have been proposed for correcting this or somewhat related handicaps: U.S. Pat. No. l,980,ll to Schneider for a head down per suader; U.S. Pat. No. 2,060,127 to Schofield for an eye protector; U.S. Pat. No. 2,330,442 to Nero for a golf players mask; U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,385 to Linster for an eye shade; U.S. Pat. No. 3,183,523 to Harrison for eye shades; U.S. Pat. No. 3,268,228 to Novak for a head movement control device for golfers; U.S. Pat. No. 3,226,729 to Fucci for an eye shield; U.S. Pat. No. 3,487,549 to Engcsser for a sports training aid; U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,764 to Broderick for a training device for golfers; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,007 to Kalberer for a golfing device.

The training device of this invention operates to reduce distractions and improve the golfers power of concentration by way of blocking certain peripheral vision and forcing the golfer to focus in the general vicinity of the golf ball about to be struck. By eliminating the temptation or tendency to start watching the trajectory of the ball from the exact moment it is struck, the golfers likelihood of accurately contacting the ball will be much improved.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated this invention comprehends a golfers training device for eliminating visual distractions and forcing the golfer to greatly improve his rhythm prior to and while striking a golf ball.

In its broader aspects this invention is characterized by a blinder having an opaque plate with an inner face, an outer face, a view-blocking forward section and a rearward section. A headband is secured to the rearward section of the plate by way of a fastener. Length adjustment means is coupled to the headband for selectively expanding or diminishing the end-to-end length of the headband.

The headband preferably includes a first resilient arcuate strip coupled to the plate by the fastener and a second resilient arcuate strip which is slidably coupled to the first resilient arcuate strip by the length adjustment meansv The length adjustment means includes a first loop attached to the outermost end of the first resilient arcuate strip and is arranged to slidably receive the second resilient arcuate strip. A second loop is attached to the innermost end of the second resilient arcuate strip and is arranged to slidingly receive the first resilient arcuate strip. The resilient arcuate strips are held in at least slightly overlapping relationship.

A cut-away zone is formed in the plate rearward section to accommodate a golfers ear for comfort reasons.

The fastener incorporates a pivot element structured and positioned to allow swinging movement of the plate between an extended view blocking position and a retracted, generally inoperable position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The'numerous benefits and unique aspects of the present invention will be fully understood when the following detailed description is studied in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. -1 is a perspective view showing a golfers blinder to improve concentration as constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 through the plate, headband, length adjustment means and fastener components of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken towards the inner face of the plate; and,

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the blinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to all of the figures but primarily FIG. 1, a golfers blinder 10 for improving concentration is shown. The blinder 10 is constructed from a number of principal components, Le, a plate 11, a headband 12,

length adjustment means 13 and a fastener 14.

The plate 11 is a thin plastic sheet of general rectangular shape that is opaque for purposes of blocking vision and light passage through the sheet. Plate 11 has an inner face which, when blinder 10 is being worn by a golfer as shown in FIG. 1, would be the side closest to the golfers face and an outer face 16. The plate 11 has a forward section 17 which blocks vision to one side and a rearward section 18 which is coupled to the headband 12 by the fastener 14.

The plate rearward section 18 is formed in a lower corner portion with an arcuate edge 19' of concave configuration which defines a cut-away space or zone 20 that accommodates a golfers ear when the blinder 10 is being worn. The rest of the periphery of plate 11 is defined by lower edge 22, upper edge 23, front edge 24, and rear edge 25. The general height of plate 11 is indicated by designation H and the general end-to-end length of plate 11 is indicated by designation L.

Headband 12 is constructed from a pair of resilient. overlapping and mutually I slidable arcuate strips. A generally stationary resilient arcuate strip 28 has an innermost end 29 connected to plate 11 and an outermost end 30. The other resilient arcuate strip 32 is movable with a sliding action relative to strip 28 and.

includes an innermost end 33 which always partially overlays strip 28 and a relatively outermost end 34.

The length adjustment means 13 is constructed to permit sliding movement by strip 32 relative to strip 28 as indicated by directional arrow D. The length adjustment means 13 is characterized by a loop 36 integrally formed on or fixed to outermost end 30 of strip 28. Loop 36 is formed with an insert space 37 which slidably receives the strip 32. Another loop 38 is integrally formed on or fixed to the innermost end 33 of strip 32. Loop 38 is likewise formed with a tunnel or insert space 39 to slidably receive strip 28. The overall end-to-end length of headband 11 may be adjusted by sliding strip 32 by a sufficient distance in either direction until the headband 12 fits over and onto the golfers head as closely and comfortably as possible.

The innermost end 29 of strip 28 is connected to rearward section 18 of plate 11 by fastener 14. The fastener 14 includes a bolt 42 with a pivot pin section or pivot pin 43 and a nut 44 which presses a washer or friction disc 45 against plate outer face 16, as shown in FIG. 2'.

The blinder is arranged for use by a golfer with a right-hand swing but could be easily modified for a golfer with a left-hand swing by uncoupling fastener 14 and securing the headband 12 on the other side of the plate 11. Bolt 42 may be tightened by an amount so that the frictional engagement of washer 45 against plate 11 is sufficient to hold the plate 1 l at any desired angular position relative to the headband 12. The biasing force is light enough to be manually overcome and permit selective rotation by the golfer between a fully extended operational position as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 and a fully retracted, non-operating position. Thus the golfer may with a swift and simple hand motion swing the plate 11 generally upwardly and rearwardly to a retracted and out-of-the-way position instead of removing the entire blinder 10 from his head.

Although the particular dimensions and relative positions of the components of the golfers blinder 10 may be varied, depending on personal requirements, the overall length L of the opaque plate 11 may be between six inches and 12 inches and the height H of the opaque plate 11 may be three to five inches. In FIGS. 3 and 4, strip 32 is shown fully retracted to generally entirely underlay strip 28. Under these circumstances, the resilient force of the strip causes them to curl into a relatively small ring configuration for facilitating packaging and storage needs.

- The plate 11 may be constructed of any type of opaque material in addition to plastic, such as cloth or wood, for example.

OPERATION Keeping the above construction in mind, it can be understood how some golfing handicaps can be overcome by using the golfers blinder 10 constructed in accordance with this invention.

The golfers blinder 10 is structured to assist in training a golfer to concentrate on the ball throughout his swing and thereby enable him to observe the golf club meeting the ball. One of the most important aspects in a golf swing is the ability to keep ones head down and maintain control of the swing. The blinder 10 serves to prevent the golfer from seeing the ball immediately after impact with-the golf club and as a result, the golfer will tend to discontinue raising his head prior to hitting the ball. Then head movement will be under control and the golfer will be permitted to analyze other parts of his golf swing more easily, faster and more effectively.

The blinder 10 is.aimed at curing or overcoming a number of specific problems. such as slicing or hooking, topping the ball, striking the ground too far in back of the ball, etc.

The headband 11 is adjusted by manipulating the length adjustment means 13 and the overall blinder 10 can be worn over or under a golfers cap and with or without eyeglasses. The headband strips 28 and 29 are mutually arranged to define a contour generally matching the golfers head.

If, for some reason the plate 11 tends to slip or drop the golfer may easily tighten the frictional force applied by the fastener 14 against the plate 11.

With the blinder 10 securely in place, the opaque plate 11 serves to block peripheral vision and associated distractions in the down-course direction in which the golfer is intending to stroke the golf ball. Because he is psychologically aware that lifting his head to follow the flight of the golf ball will prove unavailing due to the visual barrier or obstruction caused by plate forward section 17, his tendencies to prematurely lift his head will be either eliminated or sharply reduced. By so suppressing his over-eagerness to watch the ball in flight and associated jitters, he will be able to better focus in the general vicinity of the ball and concentrate upon the swinging, contacting and follow through phases of his golf maneuvers. As a result. his golf game should become improved.

From the foregoing. it will be evident that the present invention has provided a golfer"s training device for improving concentration, in which all of the various advantages are fully realized.

What is claimed is:

l. A blinder for aiding a golfer in concentrating on striking a golf ball, comprising:

a. a single totally non-transparent plate having an inner face, an outer face. a view blocking forward section and a rearward section;

b. means defining a cut-away zone formed in the plate rearward section to accommodate a golfers ear;

c, a headband having,

0,. a first resilient arcuate strip coupled to the plate, and,

0 a second resilient arcuate strip slidably coupled to the first arcuate strip;

d. a fastener coupling the first resilient arcuate strip to the rearward section of the plate, the fastener having a pivot element structured and positioned to allow frictional and swinging movement by the plate; and,

0. length adjustment means coupled to the headband for selectively expanding and diminishing the endto-end length of the headband, the length adjustment means having,

e,. a first loop attached to the outermost end of the first resilient arcuate strip and arranged to slidably receive the second arcuate strip. and,

e a second loop attached to the innermost end of the second resilient arcuate strip and arranged to slidably receive the first resilient arcuate strip. 

1. A blinder for aiding a golfer in concentrating on striking a golf ball, comprising: a. a single totally non-transparent plate having an inner face, an outer face, a view blocking forward section and a rearward section; b. means defining a cut-away zone formed in the plate rearward section to accommodate a golfer''s ear; c, a headband having, c1. a first resilient arcuate strip coupled to the plate, and, c2, a second resilient arcuate strip slidably coupled to the first arcuate strip; d. a fastener coupling the first resilient arcuate strip to the rearward section of the plate, the fastener having a pivot element structured and positioned to allow frictional and swinging movement by the plate; and, e. length adjustment means coupled to the headband for selectively expanding and diminishing the end-to-end length of the headband, the length adjustment means having, e1. a first loop attached to the outermost end of the first resilient arcuate strip and arranged to slidably receive the second arcuate strip, and, e2. a second loop attached to the innermost end of the second resilient arcuate strip and arranged to slidably receive the first resilient arcuate strip. 